Cambodia: The Story Behind the Website

Kakcent

www.kakcent.com

By: Phoeurng Phearak & An Roatmouny

Kakcent’s Page

Phnom Penh – In a country where financial literacy remain a serious challenge, Kakcent has emerged as an active platform that promotes financial literacy in Cambodia. Since 2020, the platform’s goal sets clear to help Cambodians manage their money more effectively by providing them with useful tools and easily available instruction. Kakcent offers easy-to-use mataerials like budgeting notebooks and online resources.

Kakcent’s Logo

A small group of Cambodians created Kak Cent to fill the gap in financial education. It started by sharing easy-to-understand content on social media, like infographics and articles, helping young professionals, students, and workers in Phnom Penh with tips on saving, spending, and budgeting. By 2022, Kak Cent added tools like budgeting notebooks and localized content, becoming a trusted source for financial advice.

Mr Theara Vathanak Tay, a business development director of Kakcent said that the name “Kak Cent,” reflects the platform’s mission to encourage careful money management and a culture of saving start with small amounts which translates to “saving cents” in Khmer.

Portrait of Mr. Tay Theara Vathnak, Co-founder of Kakcent

A wide reach through social media

Kak Cent provides financial advice in a way that could reach out to all Cambodian audience. By using simple language and practical examples, they make complex topics like saving, budgeting, and debt management easy to understand. Their advice is delivered through various formats:

• Social Media Posts: Kak Cent’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok posts provide quick money tips and tricks for managing money. Infographics, step-by-step guides, and short videos are popular formats. These posts simplify topics that present them in a fun, relatable way.

• Podcasts: These are ideal for people who want in-depth financial discussions. Topics include investment basics, managing debts, and building savings.

• Collaborations: Kak Cent works with influencers and financial institutions to produce content that combines practical tips with real-world financial tools.

With over two million monthly views across its platforms, Kak Cent effectively reaches its target audience of young professionals, students, and workers in urban and rural areas.

By breaking down financial concepts into relatable stories and actionable advice, they focus on topics like insurance, real estate, saving for emergencies, and managing debts—all delivered in a way that’s easy to understand.

A notable example of Kak Cent’s innovative approach was its 2024 collaboration with Wing Bank. This campaign promoted digital banking through short, engaging videos, helping users understand the benefits of cashless payments. By combining practical advice with real-life applications, Kak Cent makes financial literacy both educational and enjoyable.

While Kak Cent’s focus is on education, these revenue streams ensure the platform remains sustainable and continues to grow.

Mr. Tay Theara Vathnak had an interview with CEO of Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC).

Challenges along the way

Kakcent has faced obstacles from managing content creation with limited resources and handling sensitive topics like income inequality. Theara Vathanak Tay mentioned, “Another challenge is sharing sensitive content about the financial situation between the rich and the poor that face challenges with criticism by some audiences who comment without reading the whole article.”.

“For this problem, we can handle our in-depth research of documents and sources before publication, so we can explain to the audience who is spreading misinformation”, he added.

Additionally, discussing sensitive topics such as income inequality can be tricky, as these issues are often misunderstood or misinterpreted by the audience. Theara Vathanak Tay points out that criticism often arises from these misunderstandings, so Kak Cent focuses on delivering clear, well-researched content to better address these complex issues and avoid confusion.

Another significant challenge is the lack of financial awareness among many Cambodians. To talk about financial management, Vathanak said that a common problem of financial literacy is that many people don’t prioritize saving for emergencies or fully understand the importance of insurance, which leads to a gap in financial knowledge. Kak Cent’s goal is to bridge this gap by providing simple, actionable advice that resonates with its audience, helping them understand and improve their financial literacy.

Kak Cent planned to go beyond teaching financial skills. They aim to create a financially knowledgeable community that strengthens Cambodia’s economy. By blending traditional tools, like budgeting notebooks, with modern media, such as TikTok, Kak Cent stays relevant and impactful.
In 2024, it plans to grow even more with new financial guides with exhibitions and brand partnerships. Its mix of creativity and local content ensures it continues to be an important resource for financial literacy in Cambodia.

This small platform demonstrates how a clear mission and innovative approach can lead to real change, helping Cambodians become more confident and capable with their money.